Mona "Jean" Snider

Peacefully, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, Jean Snider passed away at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 99 years.

She was predeceased by her husband Lorne, parents Ethel and John MacTavish, son Lynn and son-in-law Alex.  She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Cameron of Manitou, Kenneth(Kelly) of Carman and Heather of Portage la Prairie, Jim(Judy) of Winnipeg; grandchildren Melody(Kirk), Kathy, Ryan(Jamie), Breann(Shane), David(Charlene), Shelly(Norman), Kelvin, Kim, Celty, Sadie, Brittany(Scott), Brian and Cindy as well as twenty-two great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

Music was Jean’s life.  Her musical history goes back to her early days growing up in a musical family on a farm between Bowsman and Swan River.  At a young age she attended dances and played for her first big dance when she was 14.   At age 16 Jean joined a band called the “Merry Makers” who were in great demand during the war years.  In 1945, her dad, Jack McTavish, returned from the war and became the fiddler for the band.  In 1960, Jean and her husband Lorne Snider moved to Manitou in Southern Manitoba, where there were no shortages of dances or fiddling contests.  Lorne passed away in 1977 and it was his wish that Jean continue to play on.

Jean played for countless dances, accompanied many aspiring fiddlers in contests, accompanied guest fiddlers from across Canada at the contests, made two records with Eugene Laderoute, played with the John Kuzik Band and eventually with the Moonlighters.  Her dedication to music and volunteerism has been greatly appreciated by the people of Southern Manitoba.  On April 27, 2008 Jean was honored by being inducted into the Manitoba Fiddle Association “Wall of Fame”.

An open to public graveside service will take place at the Manitou Cemetery on Monday, October 17, 2022 at 12:00 pm.  A come and go reception will be held at Gainsborough Hall on Monday, October 17, 2022 beginning at 3:00 pm, please bring your fiddles and guitars.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Jean’s memory to Central Plains Cancer Care Services, 318 Saskatchewan Ave. E., Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 0K8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com